Labor-lite, Nationals-lite or One Nation-lite?

By John Warhurst
Updated March 8 2017 - 1:14pm, first published 10:37am
Will Anna Bligh betray her Labor roots? Photo: Jesse Marlow
Will Anna Bligh betray her Labor roots? Photo: Jesse Marlow
Treasurer Scott Morrison was believed to be furious when told Anna Bligh would be the next Australian Bankers Association chief. Photo: Andrew Meares
Treasurer Scott Morrison was believed to be furious when told Anna Bligh would be the next Australian Bankers Association chief. Photo: Andrew Meares
Malcolm Turnbull is being pulled by his colleagues towards the right fringe. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Malcolm Turnbull is being pulled by his colleagues towards the right fringe. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The centre ground in Australian politics is remarkably weak given that, even in these days of electoral fragmentation, the clear majority of Australians vote for the centre-left and centre-right parties. The two major parties (counting the Liberals and Nationals as one) have dominated voting and representation for years, and still do in the House of Representatives despite being derided in some quarters as Tweedledum and Tweedledee. They take responsibility for any national crises because they are the parties that form governments. The buck stops with them.

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